Wreck fishing for conger eels

Hi guys, a quick trip report from the North West lads across the pond. Don't know if you guys get Conger eels over there tho?

It seems like ages since my last report. Work, weather and a trip abroad meant getting the kayak wet was an impossible task. Naturally that itch to go kayak fishing was getting itchier by the day and needed scratching. Looking for an opportunity to get out was at the top of my agenda. With the thought of a few late season bass off the North Wales coast and a good weather window plans were made. However I got chucked a curve ball and ended up with pneumonia, great just what I needed! Having no chance of getting out or any sort of exercise for that matter I seriously developed a bad case of kayak fishing withdrawal symptoms as the weeks past one by one.

So when Dave mentioned we might be able to get out I jumped at the opportunity. However as usual in a sport that relies on the British weather we got a rather nasty North Easterly. With the weather blowing in our options were limited but decided we might just be lucky and find some shelter behind cliffs on the West side of the island.

Not knowing what to expect we packed the car and headed over nice and early. Once there, it became clear that we should be able to get out but will be limited to in-shore marks tucked in safely behind the cliffs. I suggested a session for conger on a wreck fairly close in-shore. I have had a number of conger off this wreck but failed every time landing one. If the hook don’t pull they cut me off in the wreckage that’s scattered over a wide area so this was a bit of a personal mission settling the score.

Having paddled out and locating the wreckage a spot was chosen and down went the anchors. I promised Dave a quick hook-up with one of the resident eels but after sitting there for an hour or so with no luck I started to think of excuses, as you do. I couldn’t blame the bait as Dave supplied the mackerel and he assured me it was fresh. The water was clearer than I had ever seen it so it was not that, maybe it was the Easterly wind blowing. There is after all a common saying among anglers “Wind from the West, fish bite the best. Wind from the East, fish bite the least” or something down that line…

With no luck and getting bored Dave suggested we cover some ground and search for some pollock. I could do with warming up so agreed. We both headed in different directions trolling a combination of lures. We really struggled which was rather strange with the clear water. You would normally expect to pick up at least a few small pollock tight to the cliffs. Running out of options and confidence running low we paddled out to a small tidal beach to come up with a new plan.




While off sick with pneumonia a few weeks earlier I had a lot of time watching TV and perhaps watched to many episodes of Ray Mears. With the chill of the wind and dark grey skies above I thought the warm glow of a fire will lift spirits. I think Dave thought I have gone bonkers when I cooked him a fresh limpet I foraged off the rocks. Don’t know why I decided to do that myself really but seemed right at the time!



Enough with the fooling around and time to get back to fishing. With no fish falling to our lures I decided to try for the conger over the wreck again. Dave went off trolling hoping to bag a pollock or two. With half a mackerel complimented with a 7/0 J hook and in 40ft of water I waited patiently for the first conger. It was at that point Dave returned with a smile on his face. He managed to catch a mackerel and a pollock on the lure. Well, that’s him saved from blanking but me on the other hand still had to catch my first.

With us both anchored up over the wreck I had the first bite. Lifting into the rod I felt a bit of weight and thought this is what I have been waiting for. But it soon became clear this was no conger, in-fact it was a codling weighing in at 5 lb 10 oz. Definitely not something to be disappointed at. I quickly dispatch the cod and chucked it into the hatch.



Re-baited in the hope for another. Rather surprised when I had another take within second. This time around there was no doubt what was on the end of my line. Finally, target species achieved! Now just to get it clear from the wreck! After managing to get it out and into open water it was plain sailing from there. One slimy customer posing for a photo.





Dave on the other hand doubled his chances by fishing a Savage-Gear sandeel with his lure rod while having another rod out and baited for conger. Much to my surprise and probably Dave’s to, he hooked up onto a very nice pollock the moment the lure hit the bottom. With the pollock giving a good account of himself Dave had the upper-hand and pulled the pollock onboard.



Being greedy I grabbed my lure rod hoping to do the same. Unfortunately, Dave must have had the only pollock on the wreck as we did not get a sniff after that, not even the conger wanted to play anymore. Just as we were about to up the anchors a group of 30 or so dolphins appeared and made their way towards the open sea. This was the first time I have seen dolphins on this part of the coast which made for a perfect ending to our session. It was by no means a full action packed session, but considering the conditions and a few good fish between us we did not do to bad. It was just nice getting out after such a long absence the fish was a bonus.

http://nwkf.co.uk/kayak-fishing-reports/wreck-fishing-for-conger/

I don't think we have any conger eels in our waters. Are they good eating?

Thanks for the report.

Hi willbd

Never eaten one so don't know, think the Europeans love eating them but as usual the Brits pull their noses up to most things. It's mainly classed as a sport fish among anglers over here...

I look forward to your threads. It's awesome getting to peak into the kayak fishing world on another continent. Thanks for sharing and very cool pics.

I look forward to your threads. It's awesome getting to peak into the kayak fishing world on another continent. Thanks for sharing and very cool pics.

Thanks - I have a few more reports on my blog if you want to see more  http://nwkf.co.uk/ Don't know if I am allowed to post a link to another site, if not please let me know

That's a great report.  Is that an average sized eel? 

Very nice report. It's interesting to see what you have going over there. Thanks you.

That's a great report.  Is that an average sized eel?

It's about average for the wreck I was fishing, however they do get above 250lb + Don't think I want one that big off the kayak tho... 

Love the report! I'm enjoying going through the stories on your website as well. Keep 'em coming!

Love the report! I'm enjoying going through the stories on your website as well. Keep 'em coming!

Thanks Ketapatterns. I only set it up on Saturday just gone so still truck-loads of content to add...